Innovations in Maternal Mortality Reduction: Magnesium sulfate for treatment of pre-eclampsia and eclampsia in Nigeria

Join Francine Coeytaux of the Public Health Institute and colleagues from Nigeria for a presentation of approaches used to scale up use of magnesium sulfate to treat pre-eclampsia and eclampsia. Pre-eclampsia/eclampsia is a serious condition that complicates 5%–10% of pregnancies globally and, together with other hypertensive diseases of pregnancy, is responsible for approximately 14% of maternal deaths every year. Although there is little understanding of what causes pre-eclampsia/eclampsia, treatment with magnesium sulfate has been shown to significantly lower the risk of mortality (by 45%).

Despite its known efficacy, this inexpensive drug is often underused, partly because the diffusion of an innovation takes time, but also because it requires a strong and effective referral system, often a challenge in under-resourced health systems. This Web Forum will present an overview of the approaches used to introduce and scale up magnesium sulfate in Nigeria. The discussion—including both successes and challenges—will highlight the lessons learned from these innovative programs that might inform policy makers and program managers in other countries committed to reducing postpartum hemorrhage and meeting the new Sustainable Development Goals.